This year has been full of growth, achievement and exciting opportunities for everyone at Rotherham Opportunities College (ROC). As we reflect on the past academic year, we are incredibly proud of what our students, staff, families and supporters have achieved together.
At ROC, we support young people aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as they prepare for adulthood. We support students to develop the life skills, confidence and independence needed for their future.
One of the most encouraging signs of our success this year has been a 26% increase in student numbers. This growth reflects the dedication of our staff, the support of our families and the trust that our community has placed in the opportunities we provide.
We have also made exciting progress towards our Sycamore Road project. This new site will provide three times the space of our current building, creating more opportunities for students to learn and thrive. Our vision is to transform the building into a purpose-built facility designed around the needs of our young people.
The project is already gathering fantastic momentum as we have raised more than a third of our £500,000 target through grants, fundraising activities and generous donations. Among these is an incredible £6,000 grant from Welcome Break for a cold store facility for our new building.
Our fundraising efforts reached new heights this year when two of our brave staff members, Yousef and Shantelle, took on the ultimate challenge and completed a skydive from 10,000 feet. They were joined by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Haroon Rashid, making the occasion even more memorable and helping to raise awareness of our exciting plans for the future.
We also rounded off the academic year with a fantastic prom celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to dress up, celebrate their achievements and enjoy a special evening with friends and staff. The event was a fitting way to recognise the hard work, progress and personal growth shown by our students throughout the year.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the continued support of our staff, students, families, grant providers, donors and the wider community. Together, we are creating opportunities and building bright futures for young people with SEND across Rotherham and beyond.
As we look ahead, we are seeking support from local businesses, both large and small. If you would like to support us please contact us at info@theroc.co.uk or call us on 01709 242585.
